2 more bodies recovered from capsized motorbanca in Zambales

Two more bodies from the capsized motorbanca in Zambales have been recovered, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Saturday.

"The two cadavers recovered today, August 29, 2026, were among those reported missing following the incident on August 27, 2026," said PCG Spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab.

"The female passenger’s body (minor) was recovered by residents of Barangay Buhawen at approximately 10:10AM, around 50 meters west of the capsizing site. At approximately 11:05AM, search and rescue (SAR) responders recovered the male passenger’s body (minor) around 30 meters southeast of the incident site," he added.

The PCG said both bodies were positively identified by their respective fathers.

Meanwhile, PCG said that search and rescue operations continue for the one more missing passenger.

Six people were initially reported dead after a motorbanca carrying 13 members of the Aeta community capsized in Lake Mapanuepe in San Marcelino, Zambales on Thursday.

In a statement, the PCG said the incident occurred around 2 p.m. near the Sunken Church in Barangay Buhawen as the Aetas claimed food and medicine from a health center.

“The passengers were reportedly members of the Aeta Indigenous Peoples (IP) community from Sitio Lumibao. They had gone to the community health center to receive food and medicine and participate in a vaccination program before traveling back when the incident occurred,” the PCG said.

“Initial information indicated that the motor banca encountered strong winds and rough water conditions before it capsized. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation,” it added. —VAL, GMA News